Title: | Rainforest Alliance Policy: Origin Matching Mass Balance Exception for Cocoa in Brazil |
Code: | A-57-SRCL-B-SC |
Version: | 1.0 |
Applies to: | Cocoa Supply Chain Certificate Holders in Brazil |
Enforceability: | Binding content |
Effective by: | July 2nd, 2026 |
Expires by: | Until further notice |
Published on: | July 2nd, 2026 |
Linked to | A-35-SRCL-B-SC-V1.5 Rainforest Alliance Supply Chain. Requirements A-05-SRCL-B-CH-V1.4 Traceability Annex. A-17-SCRL-B-SC-V1.1 Rainforest Alliance Certification and Auditing Rules for Supply Chain. |
Replaces: | N/A |
What is this document about?
Origin Matching Mass Balance is a system by which the origin of production of physical cocoa inputs are matched with the origin of production associated with Rainforest Alliance Mass Balance Certified volumes. The aim of this system is to drive investment in more sustainable production to the countries of origin where there is physical market demand.
This exception is in place to support the cocoa sector in Brazil, or those purchasing cocoa grown in Brazil. There is currently not enough Rainforest Alliance certified cocoa grown in Brazil to meet the sector’s needs. The challenges in the Brazilian context resulting in this shortage are unique and addressing them requires additional action from the sector, including Rainforest Alliance, unlike what we have seen in other origins. Given this unique situation, an exception is required, and this document outlines the exception in place for cocoa volumes originating from Brazil.
When and how to use this document?
This document outlines the exception that is in place and should be used by Certificate Holders and Certification Bodies for compliance with the Origin Matching Mass Balance requirements in the Rainforest Alliance Supply Chain Requirements.
1. Exception to Origin Matching Mass Balance
1.1 Traceability Requirements 2.3.4 and 2.3.5
Certificate Holders operating under mass balance for cocoa can apply their Rainforest Alliance certified mass balance volumes to conventional volumes grown in Brazil without applying the rules of Origin Matching Mass Balance.
Other information
Date of first publication of this document (v 1.0): 2nd of July 2026
Documents indicated as “binding” must be complied with for certification. Documents indicated as “non-binding” provide non-mandatory information to help readers understand and implement requirements and other binding content.
Translation Disclaimer
For any question related to the precise meaning of the information in a translation, consult the official English version for clarification. Any errors or differences in meaning due to translation are not binding and have no effect for auditing or certification purposes.
Reproduction, modification, distribution, or republication of this content is strictly forbidden without prior written consent from Rainforest Alliance.
More information?
For help in obtaining a Rainforest Alliance certificate reach out to our Customer Success team at customersuccess@ra.org.
For more information about Rainforest Alliance, visit http://www.rainforest-alliance.org contact info@ra.org or the Rainforest Alliance Amsterdam Office, De Ruijterkade 6, 1013AA Amsterdam, The Netherlands.